Guinea-Bissau: The UN Security Council welcomed an inclusive dialogue among political leaders, civil society and religious communities to end the country’s political crisis. (Xinhua)

Libya: Pro-government forces have freed five foreign nationals held by the Islamic State in Sirte after heavy fighting in their battle to capture the final district of the city. (Reuters)

South Africa: The country has formally begun the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, accusing it of bias against Africans. (BBC)

AMERICAS

Region: More than 500 million people across Latin America and the Caribbean are at risk from mosquito-borne diseases, a summit of Zika-infected nations in Cuba has heard. (BBC)

Colombia: Several modifications to a peace deal with the FARC rebels suggested by the country’s opposition are “inviable,” President Juan Manuel Santos said. (Reuters)

Venezuela: The country’s electoral council has suspended an opposition drive for a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. (BBC)

Venezuela: Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles said he and seven other opposition leaders have received court orders prohibiting them from leaving the country. (AFP)

ASIA

Region: Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants have abducted a South Korean skipper and a Filipino crewman from a South Korean cargo ship. (AP)

Australia: The country will allow gun owners to hand in illegal firearms without penalty next year as concerns grow over gun crimes involving such weapons. (AP)

Bangladesh: Abdur Rahman, the head of a Bangladeshi Islamist group accused of carrying out a deadly siege at a cafe in Dhaka, died during an arrest operation earlier this month, an elite security unit said. (AFP)

Philippines: The country will maintain trade and economic ties with the US, Trade Minister Ramon Lopez said, after President Rodrigo Duterte announced his “separation” from Washington. (Reuters)